Equitable Funding

Equitable Funding Model

We each have access to different privileges and circumstances that inform our ability to pay for personal growth services in the short and long terms. I invite us to step into a communal model of funding our group learning that honors the past, present and future of each individual. This may be edgy for some folks and I honor your courage to push those edges. As a cohort envisioning the communities we want to live in, we will touch on aspects of race, class, age, and gender that may affect our participation in the communities we're building. This equitable funding model is an exercise in self-awareness, vulnerability and transparency about our limits and abundance of resources. Also, be aware that this quest for equity is more of an alchemical learning process than it is a scientific protocol.

Positionality is a complex intermingling of social and political factors that affect our privilege and access in society. This image does not include ALL factors. What else might be included here?

It is important that you invest an amount that will keep you committed to the process and will also fairly reflect what you are able to pay based on your class upbringing, your current socioeconomic status as well as other privileges that may afford you more access to money or a stable and growing income. My positionality (where I'm positioned in relation to these factors), for example, is that I am a white, professional class-raised, non-binary gender, able-bodied, college educated person who is currently pursuing a masters degree, yet currently makes less than $20,000 per year. Putting all of these factors together, and considering that the fee for the cohort split evenly would work out to $500 each, I might offer $400. This is due to the fact that I have a high earning potential for the future based on my upbringing and my education status, but am currently low earning, a student, and in a gender minority category that affects my standing as a professional in some spaces. If, on the other hand, I was high earning, I may offer more than $500.

When you go to make your pledge, you do not need any explanation with your pledged amount. Please take the time to consider your positionality and be honest with your offering. Keep in mind that if we do not reach a minimum total amount for the cohort, I will ask each of you to reconsider your pledge to make it possible for the whole group to meet the overall pledge amount so that I can cover costs and be paid a fair wage for my administration and compassionate facilitation of the group.

If this unconventional process makes you anxious, breathe, and send me an email if you need to consult further. The dialogue is so important! This will all come into focus once we approach the registration deadline and know how many people will be in our cohort and offering which amount. The registration deadline for the Portland cohort is August 31st, and for the online cohort it is September 14th. Although there is not "early-bird" pricing, I am offering a bonus gift for anyone registering before 8/8/18! Once you register, there will be more open communication about this process. All registration fees must be paid by the first meeting.

Thank you again for your courage in taking on this exploration with me. The vulnerability and transparency will go a long way to creating trust and openness in our group.

I am very grateful to Tryon Life Community Farm, Upgeya Pew, Rain Crowe, and Lee Mun Wah for offering models and spaces to dialogue about the discomfort of this process.